ASTRO U 261 User manual

U 261 IP / ASI Gate ay
User Guide

User Guide U 261
Copyright Notice
Parts of the software of this product is third-party software, which was developed under
several different licensing conditions. Detailed information concerning the licenses is provi-
ded using the webinterface of the device.
The source code of the free parts of the software is distributed on request for an admini-
stration fee.
Please contact:
[e-mail]
ASTRO Strobel Kommunikationssysteme
Olefant 1-3
D-51427 Bergisch ladbach ( ermany)
Tel.: [phone]
All other parts of the software of this product is Copyright by Astro Strobel Kommunika-
tionssysteme mbH.
Pictograms and safety instructions
Pictograms are graphical symbols with a defined meaning. You will find the following
pictograms in these instructions for installation and use:
These symbols alert you to situations in which there is mortal danger as a result of
dangerous voltage or noncompliance with these instructions.
This symbol alerts you to various health, environmental and material risks.
Recycling: all of our packaging (cardboard, paper inserts, plastic films and bags) is
fully recyclable.
Used batteries should be disposed of at approved recycling stations. This requires the
batteries to be completely discharged when handed in.
Electronic equipment should not be placed in household garbage but rather - pursu-
ant to guideline 2002/96/EC FRO THE EUROPEAN PARLIA ENT AND THE COUNCIL
dated January 27, 2003 relating to old electrical and electronic appliances - should be
disposed of in a competent manner. Please hand in such equipment for disposal at
the relevant public collection stations when you have finished using it.

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User Guide U 261
Inhaltsverzeichnis
1 Illustrations...........................................................................................................4
2 Introduction ..........................................................................................................5
2.1 Safety instructions...........................................................................................5
2.2 Assembly instructions......................................................................................5
2.3 Equipotential bonding/grounding......................................................................5
2.4 Servicing and repair ........................................................................................6
2.5 Technical data on the power supply.................................................................6
3 General introduction......................................................................................................7
3.1 Connecting the U 261 to a PC/Laptop .............................................................7
3.2 The web browser user interface.......................................................................7
4 Login.................................................................................................................................8
5 Settings ............................................................................................................................9
5.1 Setting the IP interfaces...........................................................................................9
5.2 Setting the IP Management interfaces..................................................................10
5.3 Storing and loading settings/reboot ......................................................................10
6 Test Generator...............................................................................................................11
7 Configuring the input multiplexer .............................................................................11
8 IP setting for transmission and reception mode....................................................12
9 IP setting for transmission port ................................................................................13
9.1 Transmit port ...........................................................................................................13
9.2 Destination IP .........................................................................................................13
9.3 Destination MAC .....................................................................................................14
9.4 Type Of Service/Time To Live ................................................................................14
9.5 LAN Tags .................................................................................................................14
9.6 TS Packets Per Frame/RTP/FEC............................................................................14
10 IP setting for reception ports.....................................................................................15
11 Configuring the output multiplexer ..........................................................................17
12 User Administration .....................................................................................................18
13 Transport Stream Analysis .........................................................................................18
14 Licensing .......................................................................................................................20
15 Update ............................................................................................................................20
15.1 Update using (T)FTP Server................................................................................20
15.2 Update using the example of a TFTP Server for Windows ...............................21
16 Log Book .......................................................................................................................23
17 Statistics ........................................................................................................................24
18 Network properties ......................................................................................................25
19 Logout ............................................................................................................................26
20 Technical Data ..............................................................................................................27

1 Illustrations
Power LED
Warning LED
Failure LED
Display of
anagement
IP addresses
BNC ASI input
BNC ASI outputs
ains supply
Grounding connection
AC address sticker
Data ports
anagement ports
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2 Introduction
2.1 Safety instructions
Remove both mains plugs before opening the device!
Exercise caution when servicing the power supply unit. There is the risk of making contact with
parts which are live even when disconnected from the mains!
Operating indicators - where present - merely indicate the presence of DC voltages isolated from
the mains which supply power to the components of the device. However, operating indicators
which are not lit do not under any circumstances mean that the device is completely disconnec-
ted from the mains or non-live.
Both mains switches or mains plugs are used as a mains isolator and must therefore be accessi-
ble and able to be used at any time. When just one power supply unit is connected to the opera-
ting voltage and the mains switch is set to "on", the device is in operation. If the second power
supply unit is also put into operation, one operates in idle mode for as long as the other power
supply unit is supplying power to the device.
The device must be opened only by authorized specialist personnel inspected by the Chamber of
Industry and Commerce. The device must be repaired only by authorized specialist personnel
inspected by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, or by sending it to ASTRO with the preci-
se description of the fault.
The mains cable(s) must be replaced only with original mains cables. Fuses must be replaced only
with fuses of the same type, value and melting characteristic.
Always observe:
DIN VDE 0701 - Parts 1 and 200, maintenance
EN 50 083 - Part 1, safety requirements
Do not carry out servicing work during thunderstorms
2.2 Assembly instructions
Protection from environmental influences:
The device must be connected and operated in dry rooms only. It must not be exposed to spray,
water droplets or similar influences. If condensation has formed, wait until the device has com-
pletely dried out. Objects filled with liquid must not be put down on the device.
The permitted ambient temperature is 0 ... 45°C.
Assembly environment:
The device is intended for operation in 19" racks, which are preferably metallically conductive and
which have sufficient air convection. It should be operated away from radiant heat and other heat
sources. The device must be installed only in rooms in which the permitted ambient temperature
can be maintained even if the climatic conditions change. To avoid trapped heat, it must be ensu-
red that air can circulate freely on all sides. Assembly in niches and unintentional covering of the
ventilation holes must be avoided at all times.
2.3 Equipotential bonding / grounding
The subscriber network must be and remain grounded as per the regulations in EN 60728 Part
11, even if the device is removed.
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U 261
The equipotential bonding on the U 953 is provided by means of the fixing straps on the device or
by means of the grounding clamp on its back. Appliances within arm's reach must be mutually inte-
grated into the equipotential bonding.
Operation without connection to a protective conductor, device grounding or device equi-
potential bonding is not permitted!
2.4 Servicing and repair
Caution:
The device must not be opened by the user, since the device does not contain any user-service-
able parts!
If all instructions are observed and the device is used as stipulated, no servicing is required.
Repairs must be carried out exclusively in the factory.
2.5 Technical data on the power supply (U 261)
Mains voltage: 100 – 240 V~
Mains frequency: 50 / 60 Hz
Power consumption: 0,19 – 0,34 A per power supply unit
Degree of protection according to EN 60529: IP 20
Max. device ambient temperature: 45°C
Mains fuses: T2A L 250V
The U 261 must be operated only with the original power supply unit!

3 General introduction
3.1 Connecting the U 261 to a PC / Laptop
Applying the operating voltage turns on the U 261 automatically. Following the boot phase (approx.
30 seconds), the display shows the two Management IP addresses (lines 2 & 3), and any error
messages (line 4).
If the device is connected to a PC / laptop by means of one of the network ports and once the
PC/laptop has been appropriately configured by means of the network settings, configuration of
the U 261 can be started following input of the IP address in the address line of the Web browser.
3.2 The web browser user interface
The web browser user interface is split into a topframe, leftframe and mainframe.
The topframe
contains general information about the gateway.
Figure 1: General information in the topframe of the Web browser user interface
This information can be read as follows:
"SW: Jul 8 2008" is the description of the software level on the U 261 ateway,
"FW 1.4" is the level of the firmware in the U 261 ateway,
"HW: 2" is the ateway's hardware version,
"Up: 0d 00:03'25"" is the connection time measured from the instant of logging in,
"Time (UTC):" indicates the time on the U 261.
In the above figure, alignment with the SNTP server has not yet taken place, and the U 261 the-
refore indicates the year 1970. The bold line for "Location" and "Contact" is obtained from the set-
tings in the chapter "User Administration".
The right-hand part of the topframe reflects the display and the status LEDs of the U 261, i.e. the
Web browser user interface reproduces the exact view of the U 261.
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User Guide U 261

Figure 2: View of U 261 display and LEDs in the Web browser user interface
In the example for figure 2, the device is reporting the error "IP RX4A Data Loss", and precisely
this error message can also be seen in the display of the U 261.
The leftframe
contains the navigation bar through the various submenus, which are described in detail in the
chapters which follow.
The mainframe
displays - in line with the selection in the navigation bar in the leftframe - the submenu.
4 Login
Before the ateway can be configured, it is necessary to log in. This is done using the "Login" sub-
menu.
Figure 3: Input mask for login
Clicking on the "Login" submenu opens the input mask for login (see figure 3). The standard fac-
tory setting is:
"Username: admin and password: astro"
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U 261

When the access data have been input correctly, it is possible to continue configuration. For secu-
rity reasons, the usernames and passwords as set by the factory should be changed. This allows
unauthorized access to be prevented. Only one user/BC 4 can ever be logged in on the U 261
ateway. The very bottom of the leftframe of the Web browser user interface shows which user is
currently logged in.
5 Settings
Clicking on the "Main" submenu takes you to the basic settings of the U 261.
NOTE:
All settings made must be transferred to the ateway, and therefore activated, using the "Submit"
button. To save the data, make sure that you click on the "Save" button after all parameters have
been configured, otherwise the settings which have been changed will be lost following a reboot.
5.1 Setting the IP interfaces
The "IP Interface Settings" area is used to make the settings for the four IP interfaces (Manage-
ment A & B, and Data A & B).
The "MAC" line displays the Mac address of the respective IP interface. The lowest Mac address
is required for licensing further features of the U 261 (see the chapter "Licensing").
The "Active" line can be used to activate and deactivate the individual IP interfaces, and the
"Mode" line displays the bandwidth of the IP interface connected to the U 261. This bandwidth is
recognized by the U 261 automatically.
Figure 4: Detail from basic settings of the U 261: IP Interface Settings
The IP addresses ("Address" line), subnetwork masks ("Subnet" line) and standard ateways
" ateway" line) are input using the keypad. Normally, it is only necessary to input a ateway under
Management A.
NOTE:
Please use different IP addresses for every interface and different address ranges if the interfaces
are connected to different network segments. Input 0.0.0.0 for unused or unknown ateways.
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User Guide U 261

5.2 Setti g the IP Ma ageme t i terfaces
The "IP Management Settings" area is used to stipulate the DNS server, to configure up to four
SNMP Trap recipients and to input two SNTP servers for obtaining the time reference. The time
source used may then be "SNTP Server" or "IP Rx 1" to "IP Rx 16" or "ASI TP". Only the licensed
"IP Rx" can be used.
Figure 5: Detail from the basic settings of the U 261 "IP Management Settings"
NOTE:
Please use different IP addresses. Input 0.0.0.0 for unused or unknown DNS, SNMP or SNTP
addresses.
5.3 Stori g a d loadi g setti gs / reboot
The "Save" button is used to save all settings made in the flash memory and to restore them even
after mains failure or a reboot. The "Load" button is used to restore the last operating parameters
saved in the flash memory and to reject changes which were made previously and were not sto-
red.
Figure 6: Detail from the basic settings of the U 261 "Save, Load, Default & eboot"
"Default" is used to restore the factory settings, and "Reboot" prompts the advice to restart with
the operating parameters saved in the flash memory.
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U 261
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6Test ge erator
Clicking on the "Test en" submenu takes you to the test generator settings. This internal test
generator is able to produce a test signal in order to perform a connection test, for example, and
to test this connection using a data stream.
Figure 7: Configuring the test generator
The generated data stream comprises zero packets with a length of 188 and can be configured in
a range from 1 - 197 Mbps. If the system contains several U 261 ateways, a packet ID can be
allocated to distinguish the test signals.
7Co figuri g the i put multiplexer
Clicking on the "Input Mux" submenu takes you to the input multiplexer settings. The input or out-
put multiplexer is always seen from the ASI signal when the multiplexers are named. The U 261
has an ASI input which can be used to convert an ASI signal into IP signals.
Figure 8: Configuring the input multiplexer
This ASI signal is supplied via the BNC socket on the front and can be inverted prior to conver-
sion into IP (inversion on/off). In addition, there is the option of using the signal from the test gene-
rator (see chapter 6) and of converting it into an IP signal. The configuration of this IP transmitted
signal is explained in chapter 9.
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8IP setti g for tra smissio a d receptio mode
Clicking on the "IP TX & IP RX" submenu takes you to the settings for the transmission and recep-
tion modes of the U 261. This page provides an overview of the transmission port (IP TX) of the U
261, the general settings of the reception ports (IP RX Common Settings) and the detailed set-
tings of the reception ports (IP RX Channel Settings).
Figure 9: Activating / deactivating the transmission port (IP TX Channel Settings)
The transmission port can be activated and deactivated in this input mask, specifically differentia-
ted according to Data A and Data B interface. If the user has a redundant network infrastructure
(e.g. bidirectional backbone), it may make sense for the data to be transmitted via both data inter-
faces.
For the general settings of the reception port, it is possible to choose between "Data A" and "Data
B" as the active reception interface.
Figure 10: General settings for the reception ports (IP TX Common Settings)
If the network infrastructure is of redundant design and if "Data A" and "Data B" have the same
signal applied to them via a different supply line, the U 261 ateway can be configured such that
in the event of a signal loss the active data port is automatically switched over ("Automatic" selec-
tion). If this redundant supply line does not exist, the "Static" option should be selected.
In the overview of the reception ports (IP RX Channel Settings), there is merely the option of acti-
vating or deactivating reception ports which have finished being configured. The actual configura-
tion of the reception ports is explained in chapter 10.
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U 261

Figure 11: Overview of the configured reception ports
The overview shows the configurations of the individual reception ports. The U 261 ateway in
the above example is equipped with four reception licenses, i.e. four IP Multicast groups can recei-
ve and be distributed over the ASI ports. The links "RX1" to "RX16" take you to the detailed con-
figuration of the respective port.
9 IP setting for transmission port
NOTE:
The transmission port should be configured in agreement with the network administrator in order
to ensure that the network works!
Clicking on the "IP TX1" submenu takes you to the IP settings for the transmission port.
9.1 Transmit port
The "Transmit Port" line can be used to select the port which is used to send the multicast group.
A value ≥ 1024 should be set for this in order to avoid conflict with services (Port 21: FTP, Port 80:
http, Port 110: POP3 etc.).
9.2 Destination IP
The "Destination IP:Port" line is used to assign an IP address and a UDP port to the ASI trans-
port stream converted according to IP. Usually, a multicast address is input here, since this allows
the data stream to be received by several U 261 ateways. By contrast, a unicast address can be
received only by one U 261 ateway.
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User Guide U 261

Multicast addresses are in the IP address space 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255, the range
224.0.0.0 to 224.0.0.255 being reserved for administrative purposes.
Figure 12: Configuring the transmission port (IP TX1 Channel Settings)
9.3 Destination AC
The "Destination MAC" is obtained automatically from the input "Destination IP:Port" and is
displayed here as additional information.
9.4 Type Of Service / Time To Live
The "TOS/TTL" line provides the option of inputting the "Type Of Service" and the "Time To Live".
Should the various services not be distinguished in the given network, it is not necessary to alter
the settings ex factory. The TTL indicates the permitted number of hops via a router and should be
defined such that the data packets cannot leave the network.
9.5 VLAN Tags
If the U 261 ateway is intended to cover various VLANs, it is possible for the data packets to be
assigned different VLAN tags. This ensures that data packets are routed only to the desired
VLANs, or each VLAN receives only the data packets which are intended for it.
9.6 TS Packets Per Frame / RTP / FEC
The format of the IP data stream can be determined in the bottom part of the table shown in figu-
re 12. The number of transport stream packets per Ethernet frame can be stipulated between 1
and 7. In networks in which secure data transmission is ensured (e.g. proprietary backbone), the
number of packets can be set to 7, since the loss of an Ethernet frame is improbable. In networks
with nonsecure data transmission, a small value needs to be chosen in order to minimize the loss
of useful data in the event of an Ethernet frame being lost.
The "Protocol Encapsulation" line can be used to append an additional RTP header (Real Time
Transport Protocol) to the connectionless UDP/IP Ethernet frame. This header allows the indivi-
dual transmitted Ethernet frames to be numbered in order to detect Ethernet frames which have
been lost or have arrived in the wrong order on a receiver. Error correction is not included by the
RTP header.
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U 261

The U 261 ateway is equipped with an optionally engageable FEC. This FEC forms checksums
from a matrix and transmits these checksums to the UDP ports + 2 and + 4 in the same multicast
group. When the data are recovered, these checksums are aligned and errors can be corrected.
Two different modes of FEC are possible: one-dimensional FEC, in which sums are formed only
over the columns, and two-dimensional FEC, in which the sums are formed over columns and
rows.
Abbildung 13: Configuring the FEC
The first drop-down selection field is used to stipulate the number of columns in the checking
matrix. There are 1 to 20 columns or the selection "Off" available here. The second drop-down
selection field is used to stipulate the number of rows in the checking matrix. There are 4 to 20
rows or the selection "Off" available here. The third selection field is used to select one-dimensio-
nal or two-dimensional FEC (Col+Row = two-dimensional/Col only = one-dimensional over
columns).
The mode of the FEC can be selected to be "Plain", "Annex A" or "Annex B" in line with ProMpeg
COP3 (SMPTE 2022-1). Please note that plain FEC results in a burst behavior for the data rate,
and hence Annex A and Annex B are preferable. It should be noted that the product of the num-
ber of columns (L) and the number of rows (D) is ≤ 100 (L x D ≤ 100).
10 IP setting for reception ports
Clicking on the "IP RX1-1 - IP RX16" submenu takes you to the IP settings for the desired recep-
tion port.
Figure 14: Setting details for the reception port
The "Receive IP:Port" line is used to input the IP address and the UDP port at which the U 261
ateway needs to receive the data stream.
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The "Encapsulation" is selected according to the stipulation of how the input data stream has been
encapsulated by the transmission equipment. In RTP mode, every data packet must be provided
with an RTP header. This header contains numbering for the individual transmitted Ethernet fra-
mes in order to detect and possibly re-sought Ethernet frames which have been lost or have arri-
ved in the wrong order on the receiver. Error correction is not included in the RTP header (RTP:
can only receive RTP frames/UDP can receive both but cannot use the RTP header).
The "Datarate" line is used to input the data rate of the data stream which is to be received. This
input may never be smaller than the value which is actually to be received, since otherwise pictu-
re interference/failure would occur.
A data stream can arrive with a CBR (Constant Bit Ratio) in the U 261 ateway, or with a VBR
(Variable Bit Ratio). In any case, CBR is used for MPTSs (Multiple Program Transport Stream) but
also for SPTSs (Single Program Transport Stream). However, SPTSs can also be sent with a VBR.
Under "Packet Mode", it is possible to select between "continuous" or "burst" for configuring the
respective ASI outputs connected downstream of the IP RX.
The TSIDs and ONIDs are displayed for information purposes in line with the selected transport
stream and, to provide a better overview of the transport streams (see also figure 11), it is possi-
ble for an alias to be input. If no alias is input, the name of the first service of the transport stre-
am is entered.
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11 Configuring the output multiplexer
Clicking on the "Output Mux" submenu takes you to the output multiplexer settings. The input or
output multiplexer is always seen from the ASI signal when the multiplexers are named. The U 261
ateway has 16 ASI outputs which can be used - depending on licensing - to convert a maximum
of 16 IP data streams.
Figure 15: Example view of the output multiplexer
The "Output Mux Settings" are used to assign an IP RX port to each ASI output of the U 261 ate-
way. An IP RX port can also be routed to several ASI outputs, so that the U 261 can also be used
as an ASI distributor. To provide a better overview, the respective row and column of the output
matrix above which the mouse pointer is situated have a red background. The ASI signal can also
be inverted and can be configured for the packet lengths 188 and 204. It is also possible to turn
off the ASI outputs.
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12 User Administration
Clicking on the "User" submenu takes you to User administration.
When delivered, the U 261 ateway can be configured using three different items of access data.
Username: admin, password: astro
Username: user, password: astro
Username: bc4, password: astro
Figure 16: View of User Administration upon delivery
NOTE:
ASTRO does not have a master password! Should you forget your password, you will no longer
be able to log in and the device will need to be sent in.
No service levels are distinguished for the different users. Each user has the same rights. To remo-
ve user accounts 2 to 4, it is merely necessary to input a blank username and click on the "Sub-
mit" button. New passwords which are input must not be shorter than 5 characters.
NOTE:
All settings made need to be transferred to the ateway and activated using the "Submit" button.
To save the data, make sure that you click on the "Save" button in the "Main" submenu, otherwi-
se the settings which have been changed will be lost following a reboot.
The data which have been input under "Location" and "Contact" are displayed in the topframe.
This makes it possible to avoid confusing appliances and locations when configuring remotely.
13 Transport Stream Analysis
By purchasing a license, the U 261 can be equipped with a transport stream analyzer. This ana-
lyzer shows the structure of the MPE 2 TS from the tables to the individual PID and its service.
Clicking on the "TS Analyzer" submenu takes you to selection of the transport stream to be ana-
lyzed. When a TS is selected and the "Submit" button hit, the following example window opens:
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Figure 17: Analyzing the selected transport stream
Wait until the "...done!" message appears. Clicking on the "+" or "-" symbols displays or hides the
details. Through selection of the "ASI TP" as the TS to be analyzed, the TS analyzer also provides
the option of analyzing externally applied ASI signals.
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14 Lice si g
Clicking on the "License" submenu takes you to licensing. The features of the U 261 can be upgra-
ded from the factory-delivered state (1 IP TX & 1 IP RX) through to the full complement of equip-
ment (1 IP TX, 16 IP RX and TS analyzer) by purchasing software licenses.
Figure 18: Input mask for software licenses
A prerequisite for ordering further licenses is provision of the Mac address of the device. The Mac
address can be found either on the sticker on the back of the device (see illustrations on page 3)
or in the Web browser interface. In this respect, the lowest Mac address is the important one.
When the Mac address has been provided, ASTRO will generate the license keys and supply them
by E-mail or on CD.
The format of the license keys is a text document (e.g. Lic001772000222.txt). The key or keys can
be inserted into the input mask using "Copy/Paste", and clicking on the "Submit" button transfers
the license to the U 261 ateway. If the license is valid, this is confirmed by a message. An inva-
lid license is indicated by an error message.
15 Update
15.1 Update usi g (T)FTP Server
Clicking on the "Update" submenu takes you to the settings for the U 261 software update. The
"(T)FTP Server address" line is used to input the (T)FTP server address at which the current soft-
ware for the U 261 ateway is stored.
The "Protocol" line provides the option of selecting "FTP" (File Transfer Protocol) or "TFTP" (Trivi-
al File Transfer Protocol). If the "TFTP" option is chosen, it is not necessary to input the userna-
me and the password.
"Path" is used to input the path on which the U 261 software update was stored. It is necessary to
ensure that the software is stored in the indicated path (preceded and followed by "/"), otherwise
the update will not take place. Furthermore, it must be ensured that any firewall installed permits
the (T)FTP communication. In the "Update" submenu, it is also possible to store the configuration
of the U 261 ateway on an FTP server, or else to load a configuration into the U 261 ateway.
Loading a configuration into the U 261 ateway does not affect the settings of the IP interfaces.
.
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